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Bananas have a high content of nutrients, including potassium, calcium, and natural carbohydrates. They help nourish and moisturize dry, brittle hair, improving its shine and elasticity. It also boosts hair growth by enriching the follicles. (1) These benefits make the banana an ideal choice to use as a natural treatment to achieve healthy hair.
Different formulations of banana hair masks are used to treat different hair types and different hair problems, ranging from dry hair to frizzy hair.
Hair Benefits of Bananas
The flesh of bananas contains a multitude of nutrients. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and B6, calcium, iron, carbohydrates, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorous, and sodium. (2) Adding bananas to a healthy, balanced diet may offer various health benefits. (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)
Along with their internal consumption, bananas can also be used externally to nourish your hair. Applying them to your hair will help in:
- Maintaining the natural elasticity of the hair
- Restoring its glow and shine
- Strengthening
- Preventing split ends and breakage
- Making it soft, silky, and damage-free
- Regulating sebum production
- Shielding it from external environmental factors such as heat and chemicals (1)
Banana Hair Mask Recipes
Although banana-based conditioners are available on the market, you can derive the same benefits from an easy-to-make homemade banana mask at a fraction of the cost.
However, a banana conditioning hair mask can be a bit tedious to wash, leaving your hair greasy. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly clean your hair and scalp after using it, preferably with diluted apple cider vinegar.
Note: It is necessary to perform a patch test to check for any allergies before applying the hair mask.
1. Banana and whole milk hair mask
The use of whole milk in this conditioning mask may provide proteins that can help strengthen and nourish your hair. Additionally, cocoa powder can hydrate the hair and promote the development of a deep-brown hair tone, especially in dry, dyed, or permed hair.
However, no scientific studies have been conducted to test these properties and the recipe is chiefly based on anecdotal observations.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe yellow banana
- Whole milk (as needed to form a paste)
- 2 tsp cocoa powder
How to make:
- Remove the banana peel and cut the flesh into pieces.
- Transfer the pieces into a bowl and mash them using a fork to get a fine pulp.
- Thin out the pulp by mixing in a tablespoon of milk at a time until a semiliquid consistency is achieved.
- Add the cocoa powder.
- Whisk the ingredients to form a smooth paste.
How to use:
- Apply the paste to your hair using a clean dye brush.
- Leave it on for 20–30 minutes.
- Rinse the paste away with water.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
- Air-dry your hair.
Use this conditioning hair mask once a week to add smoothness and shine to your hair.
Note: Use a ripe banana for this DIY recipe, and make sure to blend it into a smooth paste properly. Doing so facilitates the washing off of the hair mask. You may also use apple cider vinegar to remove the residual hair mask.
2. Avocado, egg, and banana hair mask
Avocados have been observed to possess hair moisturizing properties, adding shine and body to the locks.
Bananas may help repair damage and soothe the hair and the proteins in eggs can aid in hair strengthening. Olive oil can help add luster to the hair while conditioning it.
While this conditioning mask can be used for all hair types, the apple cider vinegar in this recipe makes it ideal for oily hair. This all-natural hair mask has been an anecdotal favorite, but there isn’t much scientific evidence to validate its benefits.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- Half of an avocado
- Half of an overripe banana
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup of water
How to make:
- In a clean bowl or measuring cup, mix the water and apple cider vinegar.
- Put the banana, egg, avocado, and oil in a blender pot.
- Process the ingredients until a smooth puree, devoid of lumps, is obtained.
How to use:
- Massage the puree onto your scalp and comb it through the hair using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse your hair with water.
- Wash your hair using your regular shampoo.
- Pour the diluted apple cider vinegar onto your hair.
- Rinse after a couple of minutes.
- Use your regular conditioner as usual.
Additional Tips
- You may make this conditioner using brown, overripe bananas that otherwise go to waste.
- Puree the banana properly as bits of it can stick to your hair and make the washing process a bit tedious.
- You may mix in a few drops of rosemary oil, lavender oil, or peppermint oil if you find the smell of the hair mask to be unpleasant. These oils also contribute to hair growth. Alternatively, you can add rose water.
Final Word
Bananas are not only a delicious fruit, but they also have manifold benefits for the skin, hair, and general health. They are a nutrient-rich source containing natural oils, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, magnesium, and biotin.
Bananas are an excellent agent for hair nourishment that helps strengthen and moisturize the hair, leaving your locks lustrous and soft.
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